Desalegn Chala Gelete

• Castillo-Almansa, Elvira; Mateo, Rubén G.; Galbany-Casals, Mercè; Blanco-Gavaldà, Carme; Moreyra, Lucía D. & Roquet, Cristina [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2026). Climate change vulnerability of the Afrotemperate flora on Africa’s tropical sky islands. Biodiversity and Conservation. ISSN 0960-3115. 35. doi: 10.1007/s10531-026-03422-9. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Climate change poses a significant threat to the Afrotemperate flora of the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot, particularly to species confined to high-elevation ecosystems such as those found on the African sky islands. This study evaluates the vulnerability of tropical Afroalpine and Afromontane Helichrysum taxa (Compositae) by assessing their climatic niches and predicting future shifts in distribution, range fragmentation, and altitudinal limits under climate change scenarios. Occurrence records for 14 taxa (eight Afroalpine and six Afromontane) were obtained from recent field campaigns, biodiversity databases and herbaria. Ensemble ecological niche models were developed combining Generalized Linear Models, Generalized Boosting Models, and Random Forest. Taxon-specific bioclimatic variables were selected after correlation analyses. The models were calibrated using current climate data and projected using the PSL-CM6A-LR and MRI-ESM2.0 climate models with both low- and high-emission scenarios. The results show that most Afrotemperate taxa currently occupy only a portion of their climatically suitable habitat, often in geographically distant areas. Future projections indicate significant range contractions and increased fragmentation. Afroalpine taxa could lose 50–66% of their suitable habitat, while Afromontane taxa could decline by 53–79%. Suitable areas were estimated to shift upwards in elevation, with limited potential for colonization of new areas, and with no significant latitudinal or longitudinal shifts. These findings represent the first continental-scale assessment of the impact of climate change on the Afrotemperate flora using ecological niche modelling. The projected climate-induced range losses and increased habitat fragmentation, in particular combined with increasing anthropogenic pressure in this region, highlight the urgent need for targeted conservation actions.

• Birhanu, Liyew; Amsalu, Nigussie; Tamir, Dabash; Sefu, Gerefa & Chala, Desalegn (2026). Severe Climate-Driven Range Contraction of Taverniera abyssinica A. Rich, an Endangered and Locally Popular Medicinal Plant in Ethiopia. Ecology and Evolution. 16(7). doi: 10.1002/ece3.73950. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Taverniera abyssinica A. Rich. is one of the most important and well‐known medicinal plants used by local communities in Ethiopia. This critically endangered shrub is traditionally used to treat stomach ulcers, fever, soreness, and pain, and it is widely valued for its antipyretic and analgesic properties. In this study, we applied ensemble species distribution models using four algorithms (BRT, RF, GAM, GLM), 10‐fold cross‐validation, and three model replicates to predict the current and future distribution of T. abyssinica across Ethiopia. Suitable habitats were mapped at the district level to facilitate conservation planning and practical applications. Model performance was consistently high, with mean AUC values of 0.90–0.93 and TSS values exceeding 0.8, indicating strong predictive accuracy. Under current climatic conditions, the potential distribution of T. abyssinica is primarily concentrated in the central highlands, with additional suitable areas in the northern and eastern highlands. However, future climate projections indicate substantial range contraction, with approximately 85.9% (114,868 km 2 ) of currently suitable habitat projected to become unsuitable, while only 2.7% (3573 km 2 ) of new habitat is expected to become suitable. This represents a net habitat loss of 83.2% (111,295 km 2 ). These findings indicate the vulnerability of T. abyssinica to climate change and underscore the urgent need for adaptive conservation strategies. Although model performance was robust, predictions are based on a relatively small number of occurrence records, meaning they capture only what is represented in the data. We therefore recommend that both current and projected future suitable areas be given conservation priority to safeguard this species.

• Bulto, Gamtesa Olika; Wedajo, Gizachew Kabite; Gole, Tadesse Woldemariam; Chala, Desalegn & Gemeda, Dessalegn Obsi (2026). Selective Ensemble Machine Learning for Mapping Potential Invasion of Vachellia drepanolobium in Ethiopian Savanna Ecosystem Using Sentinel-2 and Environmental Variables. Trees, Forests and People. 24, p. 101218–101218. doi: 10.1016/j.tfp.2026.101218. Full text in Research Archive
• Chala, Desalegn; Alemu, Diress Tsegaye; Alem, Habtamu; Asalf, Belachew; Eshetu_Moges, Melesse & Abate, Nega Tassie [Show all 14 contributors for this article] (2026). Beyond Removal: Strategies for Sustainable Control of Water Hyacinth in Tropical Freshwater Ecosystems. Environmental Management. ISSN 0364-152X. 76(6). doi: 10.1007/s00267-026-02494-1. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Water hyacinth is among the world’s most damaging aquatic invasive plants, forming dense mats that disrupt ecosystem functioning, fisheries, navigation, and livelihoods across tropical and subtropical freshwater systems. Its rapid spread is driven by clonal propagation, short life cycles, and prolific seed production, particularly under nutrient-enriched conditions. Although mechanical, chemical, and biological control methods are widely applied, their long-term effectiveness remains uncertain when underlying eutrophication persists. Here, we present a large-scale, one-time water hyacinth removal campaign in Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, as a representative nutrient-rich tropical freshwater system. Using high-resolution satellite imagery, we quantified coverage one month before removal, one month after removal, and one year later. We integrated SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis with a socio-ecological system map to assess mitigation mechanisms and identify sustainable management pathways capable of providing long-term solutions to halt water hyacinth proliferation in freshwater bodies. The campaign removed over 75% (~1271 ha) of water hyacinth, yet within one year the plant resurged to levels ~18% higher than pre-removal. This rebound highlights the ecological resilience of water hyacinth and the limitations of short term, noncontinuous control strategies. Our analysis identifies unmanaged catchment nutrient inputs as the primary driver of proliferation. Lake Tana serves as a model system demonstrating that water hyacinth functions less as a traditional invader and more as a bioindicator of eutrophication. We propose a transferable conceptual and methodological framework combining continuous removal, catchment-based nutrient management, and circular bioeconomy approaches, offering globally relevant lessons for sustainable management of nutrient-enriched tropical freshwater systems.

• Weiland, Claus; Bauer, Daniel; Chala, Desalegn; Endresen, Dag; Grieb, Jonas & Kehel, Zakaria [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2025). FAIRification and AI-Readiness for Biodiversity Digital Twins. Biodiversity Information Science and Standards (BISS). 9. doi: 10.3897/biss.9.181439. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The European Green Deal addresses a wide array of critical topics regarding the interaction and exchange between society and ecosystems involving human-induced climate change, biodiversity loss, and deforestation. To support the development of appropriate and sustainable mitigation strategies, both political frameworks as well as large-scale scenario forecast and simulation infrastructures such as Destination Earth Data Lake (DEDL, Puechmaille et al. 2025) and the Green Deal Data Space (Penninga et al. 2021) are currently implemented. Setting up these data spaces requires the consolidation and harmonization of vast amounts of data, among them data from long-term biodiversity monitoring (e.g. eDNA, Abarenkov et al. 2023), near real-time data captured by IoT devices (e.g. camera traps, Grieb et al. (2025)) and large-scale Earth observation data (e.g. ERA5 global reanalysis, Hersbach et al. (2020)). Key tools and research methodologies for integration of such data have been developed in the Destination Earth-linked Biodiversity Digital Twin project (BioDT). Biodiversity digital twins provide digital replicas of biodiversity patterns and processes (Khan et al. 2025), for FAIR-compliant reuse and cross-platform portability, they are packaged in BioDT using the RO-Crate specification. Resulting datasets as well as computational workflows are bundled as digital objects and annotated with rich machine-interpretable metadata using schema.org and its extensions Bioschemas and Croissant (high-level metadata specification supporting AI-Readiness, Bolleman et al. 2025). The workflow.earth pilot was developed to migrate and functionally integrate BioDT's digital twin for crop wild relatives (BioDT CWR) into DEDL. BioDT CWR is designed to identify genetic resources in crop wild relatives (CWR) and aid in creating strategies to mitigate food-related crises linked to climate change (Chala et al. 2024). CWR are crucial sources of untapped genetic diversity, offering greater adaptability to extreme weather events such as droughts, cold waves, and heavy precipitation. They are therefore of particular importance to ensure food security with regard to Sustainable Development Goals (notably Goal 2 “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture”, United Nations 2023). Major objectives for workflow.earth are to enhance visibility and long-term availability of the BioDT CWR, to improve its prediction capabilities using DEDL’s near data processing services, and to facilitate (in perspective) the orchestrated interplay with other digital twins such as the Climate Change Adaptation DT (Weiland et al. 2024). to enhance visibility and long-term availability of the BioDT CWR, to improve its prediction capabilities using DEDL’s near data processing services, and to facilitate (in perspective) the orchestrated interplay with other digital twins such as the Climate Change Adaptation DT (Weiland et al. 2024). On top of RO-Crate, workflow.earth employs FAIR Signposting to add machine-interpretable links to human-readable digital objects using link relation types (RFC8288, Fig. 1) to present the web topology of a resource (Soiland-Reyes et al. 2024). In this presentation, we will demonstrate the deployment of agrobiodiversity workflows in DEDL using workflow.earth and the publication of model and results as webby FDOs.

• Moreyra, Lucía D.; Roquet, Cristina; Susanna, Alfonso; Birkeland, Siri; Blanco‐Gavaldà, Carme & Brochmann, Christian [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2025). From Pleistocene Corridors to Isolated Peaks and Back: Biogeography of Afrocarduus (Compositae) in the Afromontane Archipelago. Journal of Biogeography. ISSN 0305-0270. 52(11). doi: 10.1111/jbi.70045. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Aim We investigated the biogeographic history and diversification dynamics of Afrocarduus, an Afromontane–Afroalpine genus endemic to eastern Africa. We aimed to assess the roles of geographic isolation, habitat transitions, and ecological speciation in shaping current diversity. Location The Afromontane and Afroalpine regions of East Africa and Ethiopia are situated along the Great Rift Valley system. Taxon Afrocarduus (Compositae: Carduinae), a genus comprising 18 endemic species. Methods We conducted a comprehensive taxonomic and geographic sampling of Afrocarduus, generating data from 489 nuclear loci. Phylogenomic and biogeographic ancestral estimation analyses were performed to infer the evolutionary history and historical biogeography of the genus. Results Afrocarduus originated in the Afromontane zone of eastern Africa during the Late Miocene (~10.7 Ma), with major diversification events occurring in the Early Pleistocene (~2.3 Ma). Most dispersal events occurred between neighbouring massifs, though occasional long-distance dispersal between disjunct mountain systems was detected. The Turkana Depression and the Great Rift Valley have acted as major biogeographic barriers. Phylogenetic structure shows distinct clades occupying different regions. Ecological divergence between Afromontane and Afroalpine environments contributed to speciation, with at least six independent adaptations to Afroalpine conditions and multiple cases of ecological reversal. Stem loss, a trait associated with alpine habitats, evolved convergently in two clades. Closely related species often segregate by elevation or microhabitat within the same massif. Main Conclusions The diversification of Afrocarduus has been shaped by a combination of historical climate change, geographic isolation, and ecological adaptation. Our results emphasise the importance of ecological speciation and habitat transitions in Afrotemperate plant evolution and highlight the need for further research on understudied Afromontane taxa, especially under the threat of ongoing climate change.

• Aticho, Abebayehu; Beyene, Abebe; Zelelew, Shimelis Aynalem; Puok, Changkuoth; Gosler, Andrew G. & Chala, Desalegn (2025). Avifaunal Salience Correlates with Conservation Interest in the Indigenous Nuer Community, Western Ethiopia. Human Ecology. ISSN 0300-7839. 53(1), p. 181–197. doi: 10.1007/s10745-025-00585-x. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Conservation frameworks are increasingly integrating scientific approaches with Indigenous knowledge to address biodiversity loss. Though Indigenous communities make up only 5% of the global population, they play an essential role in conservation. Within this paradigm, cognitive salience, people’s awareness of local species, offers insights that help decision-makers design conservation strategies tailored to specific communities and ecosystems. However, in many regions, this information is scarce. To explore cognitive salience's role in conservation, we investigated the link between bird salience and conservation interest among Ethiopia’s Indigenous Nuer people. Using bird survey data, focus group discussions, and household interviews, we explored how bird salience associates with conservation interest. Our findings reveal that birds hold high cognitive salience among the Nuer, as evidenced by their rich knowledge of folk names, perceptions, and cultural beliefs associated with avian species. A significant positive correlation was observed between an index of cognitive salience and expressed conservation interest (r = 0.53, df = 52; p = 0.0001), indicating species with higher salience would be more likely to gain conservation attention. Furthermore, this index correlated positively with both relative abundance and the aesthetic value of bird species, suggesting that more prevalent and culturally significant species tend to attract higher conservation interest. Given that highly salient species garner greater conservation interest, raising awareness of less salient but threatened or rare species could enhance local engagement to mitigate the risk of local extinctions. This highlights the importance of Indigenous perspectives in addressing contemporary conservation challenges and argues that integrating these interconnected human-nature relationships in conservation is vital for effective, culturally informed biodiversity conservation outcomes.

• Gorospe, Juan Manuel; Zaveska, Eliska; Chala, Desalegn; Seid, Abel Gizaw; Tusiime, Felly Mugizi & Gustafsson, A Lovisa S [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2025). Ecological speciation with gene flow followed initial large-scale geographic speciation in the enigmatic afroalpine giant senecios (Dendrosenecio). New Phytologist. ISSN 0028-646X. 246(5), p. 2307–2323. doi: 10.1111/nph.20432. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Mountains have highly heterogeneous environments that generate ample opportunities for lineage differentiation through ecological adaptation, geographic isolation and secondary contact. The geographic and ecological isolation of the afroalpine vegetation fragments on the East African mountain tops makes them an excellent system to study speciation. The initial diversification within the afroalpine endemic genus Dendrosenecio was shown to occur via allopatric divergence among four isolated mountain groups, but the potential role of ecological speciation within these groups and the role of gene flow in speciation remained uncertain. Here we extend the sampling of Dendrosenecio and use phylogenomics to assess the importance of gene flow in the diversification of the genus. Then, population genomics, demographic modelling and habitat differentiation analyses are used to study ecological speciation in two sister species occurring on Mount Kenya. We found that two sympatric sister species on Mt Kenya occupy distinct microhabitats, and our analyses support that they originated in situ via ecological speciation with gene flow. In addition, we obtained signals of admixture history between mountain groups. Taken together, these results suggest that geographic isolation shaped main lineages, while ecologically mediated speciation occurred within a single mountain.

• Mungi, Ninad Avinash; Galetti, Mauro; Ratnam, Jayashree; Chala, Desalegn; Sanín, María José & Svenning, Jens-Christian (2025). Alien plants and novel ecosystems in the Greater Tropics. Nature Reviews Biodiversity. ISSN 3005-0677. doi: 10.1038/s44358-025-00068-3. Full text in Research Archive
• Kufa, Chala Adugna; Bekele, Afework; Atickem, Anagaw Meshesha; Chala, Desalegn; Alemu, Diress Tsegaye & Ergon, Torbjørn [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2025). Mapping suitable habitat and Anthropocene refugia for Ethiopian Guerezas: Insights for their conservation. Global Ecology and Conservation. 59. doi: 10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e03547. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Ethiopia is home to two subspecies of Colobus guereza, C. g. guereza and C. g. gallarum. Whereas C. g. guereza is listed as Least Concern by IUCN, the conservation status of C. g. gallarum is unclear, but according to a recent assessment, it will most likely be listed as Vulnerable, because of habitat loss due to agricultural expansion. We used climate data to model the habitat suitability for both taxa in a comparative study to identify suitable habitats within and outside of protected areas that may serve as Anthropocene refugia. Our ensemble models estimated 168,731 km2 as climatically suitable habitat for C. g. guereza and 69,542 km2 for C. g. gallarum with an overlap between the two taxa of 17.2 %. Areas that qualified as refugia, i.e., areas covered by forest, were 47,101 km2 (only 27.9 % of the total suitable habitat) and 8430 km2 (12.1 % of the suitable habitat) for C. g. guereza and C. g. gallarum, respectively. Of these, 39.8 % (C. g. guereza) and 53.7 % (C. g. gallarum) are within Ethiopia’s current protected area network. Given that potential Anthropocene refugia are found only partly within protected areas, conservation management should include this information when developing conservation strategies for both taxa. As the majority of suitable habitats for the two colobus taxa exist in non-forested regions, afforestation in these areas would be highly beneficial and is strongly recommended.

• Grilo, Clara; Neves, Tomé; Bates, Jennifer; Roux, Aliza le; Medrano-Vizcaíno, Pablo & Quaranta, Mattia [Show all 56 contributors for this article] (2025). Global Roadkill Data: a dataset on terrestrial vertebrate mortality caused by collision with vehicles. Scientific Data. 12. doi: 10.1038/s41597-024-04207-x. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Roadkill is widely recognized as one of the primary negative effects of roads on many wildlife species and also has socioeconomic impacts when they result in accidents. A comprehensive dataset of roadkill locations is essential to evaluate the factors contributing to roadkill risk and to enhance our comprehension of its impact on wildlife populations and socioeconomic dimensions. We undertook a compilation of roadkill records, encompassing both published and unpublished data gathered from road surveys or opportunistic sources. GLOBAL ROADKILL DATA includes 208,570 roadkill records of terrestrial vertebrates from 54 countries across six continents, encompassing data collected between 1971 and 2024. This dataset serves to minimise the collection of redundant data and acts as a valuable resource for local and macro scale analysis regarding rates of roadkill, road- and landscape-related features associated with risk of roadkill, vulnerability of species to road traffic, and populations at risk of local extinction. The objective of this dataset is to promote scientific progress in infrastructure ecology and terrestrial vertebrate conservation while limiting the socio-economic costs.

• Seid, Abel Gizaw; Dimitrov, Dimitar; Masao, Catherine Aloyce; Tusiime, Felly Mugizi; Woldimu, Tigist & Abdi, Ahmed Abdikadir [Show all 22 contributors for this article] (2025). Genetic Diversity Is Not Correlated With Species Diversity: A Multispecies Study in a Continental Habitat Island System. Journal of Biogeography. ISSN 0305-0270. 52(9). doi: 10.1111/jbi.15185. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Aim It has been proposed that species diversity (SD) and genetic diversity (GD) co-vary across natural communities because both are shaped by processes such as immigration and drift. However, empirical reports are contradictory, and multispecies studies are rare. Here we test the hypothesis that the two diversity measures do not correlate in systems with high levels of immigration stochasticity and little GD caused by strong genetic drift. Location Tropical alpine habitats on six of the highest mountains in eastern Africa. Taxon Vascular plants. Methods We sampled 375 taxa in 75 plots in five habitat types, recorded ecological variables, and genotyped 1793 plants representing 20 species/species complexes. Results We confirmed that intrapopulation GD was exceptionally low in this system and found that most Species-Genetic Diversity Correlations (SGDCs) were weak and insignificant. Whereas SD was correlated with several environmental variables, GD was only correlated with mountain identity (geographical location) and mountain age. Main Conclusions Our findings support the hypothesis that SGDCs are lacking in habitat island systems such as the tropical alpine region in Africa, which is characterised by frequent population size fluctuations, extinctions, and colonisations via long-distance dispersal (LDD) during the glacial cycles. The stochastic nature of LDD combined with strong genetic drift and founder effects is likely to cause low GD and lack of SGDCs, implying that SD cannot be used as a proxy for GD in conservation management of such systems.

• Khan, Taimur; Koning, Koen de; Endresen, Dag; Gelete, Desalegn Chala & Kusch, Erik (2025). TwinEco: A Unified Framework for Dynamic Data-Driven Digital Twins in Ecology. Ecological Informatics. ISSN 1574-9541. 91. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2025.103407. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The burgeoning interest in digital twin (DT) technology presents a transformative potential for ecological modelling, offering new ways to model the complex dynamics of ecosystems. This paper introduces the TwinEco framework, designed to mitigate fragmentation in the development and deployment of DT applications in ecology. Compared to traditional modelling frameworks, TwinEco emphasises modularity and flexibility by introducing “layers” and “components” for DTs, accommodating diverse ecological applications without necessitating the deployment of all components. This modular approach ensures adaptability and scalability, promoting interoperability and integration with broader initiatives like Destination Earth. Digital twins in ecology offer significant advancements over traditional approaches by explicitly modelling changing processes and states over time, integrating extensive data, and enabling real-time feedback loops by actuating events or policies in the “real-world”. The framework’s capacity to adjust to changing environmental conditions enhances its predictive accuracy and responsiveness. This paper highlights the necessity for a unified framework to prevent divergent interpretations and ensure the interoperability of DT applications across ecological domains. Future recommendations include expanding case studies to demonstrate the framework’s applicability, assessing the potential of Dynamic Data-Driven Application Systems (DDDAS) paradigm within ecological DTs, and exploring interactions between components to optimise performance. Emphasising model-data fusion and fostering a shared terminology within the ecological community are crucial for the framework’s success. TwinEco aims to provide a robust foundation for ecological digital twins, enabling timely, data-driven decision-making to address global environmental challenges.

• Aticho, Abebayehu; Beyene, Abebe; Zelelew, Shimelis Aynalem; Puok, Changkuoth; Gutema, Tariku Mekonnen & Svenning, Jens Christian [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). A neglected wetland in human-dominated landscape shields avifauna from seasonal harsh conditions in Gambella, western Ethiopia. Journal for Nature Conservation. ISSN 1617-1381. 81. doi: 10.1016/j.jnc.2024.126694. Full text in Research Archive
• Tafesse, Bedilu; Kusch, Erik; Bekele, Tamrat; Demissew, Sebesbe; Warkineh, Bikila & Chala, Desalegn (2024). Naturally formed canopy gaps increase tree species diversity in the tropical Moist Afromontane Forest of Gerba Dima, southwest Ethiopia. Forest Ecology and Management. ISSN 0378-1127. 578. doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2024.122475. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Canopy gaps play a pivotal role in tropical forest ecosystems, influencing succession, carbon dynamics, ecosystem function, and biodiversity. Here we investigated canopy gap dynamics, tree species regeneration, and associated factors in one of the Moist Afromontane tropical forests, the Gerba Dima forest of southwest Ethiopia. Located within a precipitation-rich region with rain all year round, the Gerba Dima forest contains broad-leaved evergreen trees and is characterized by a diverse canopy structure with plenty of canopy gaps whose effect on the forest is not yet investigated. Through systematic line transects, we identified 120 canopy gaps exceeding 25 m2 within Gerba Dima forest. These were created by fallen trees, fallen branches, or standing dead trees resulting from the mortality of one or more trees. For each gap, we estimated gap age, characterized gap-creating tree species (measured their diameter at breast height (DBH), identified modes of death and recorded the abundance of gap-filling seedlings and saplings. Subsequently, we computed the diversity of successional species and employed Bayesian regression models to analyze the effects of canopy gaps on the forest ecosystem. We recorded 29 tree species from 19 families as gap creators, with five species contributing to over half of the canopy formation. The mortality of individual trees accounted for over 50 % of gap formation, predominantly through uprooting with contributions from stand dead and branch snip off. We recorded 3830 seedlings and saplings belonging to 49 species from 19 families as gap fillers. We show that canopy gap size is influenced by both the number and size of gap-making trees and gap-filling tree species richness correlates more strongly with canopy size. Moreover, gap-filling species exhibit greater diversity compared to gap creators, with consistent survival rates across canopy ages, suggesting enhanced forest diversity. In conclusion, spontaneously formed canopy gaps contribute to increased tree diversity without adversely affecting the diversity of canopy gap-forming trees, showing the importance of natural canopy gaps to the diversity of tropical forests.

• Aticho, Abebayehu; Beyene, Abebe; Zelelew, Shimelis Aynalem; Puok, Changkuoth; Gosler, Andrew G. & Stenseth, Nils Christian [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). Birds as sacred ‘children of god’, beholders of spirit and symbols of twinhood: Human–bird interaction among the Nuer in western Ethiopia. People and Nature. 6(6), p. 2418–2430. doi: 10.1002/pan3.10719. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The deep connection between Indigenous communities and nature plays a pivotal role in biodiversity conservation. Ethiopia, one of Africa's priority countries for bird conservation, harbours 821 bird species and 83 ethnic groups of Indigenous people. However, cultural and spiritual ties between Indigenous peoples and bird species remain largely unexplored. This is particularly true for remote Indigenous communities such as the Nuer. Relying on preexisting bird survey data, we conducted focussed group discussions and semi-structured interviews with Indigenous Nuer in western Ethiopia to explore human–bird interactions and documented associated traditional ecological knowledge and considered their conservation implications. We found that Nuers have strong ties with birds. In Nuer community, birds are collectively known by three interchangeable terms: ‘gaatkuoth’ to mean sacred children of god, ‘kuoth’ meaning bearers of spirit and ‘diit’ symbols of human twins (since birds nurture multiple offspring, they associate the incidence of twins in human with birds). We identified 71 culturally important bird species that were used in seven different use categories. Among these species, 10 were used as bushmeat, five for traditional medicine, eight as fish indicators, seven as omens (believed to indicate upcoming misfortunes), three as amulets (believed to protect against danger when bird's body parts are used as necklaces and bracelets), three as season indicators and 45 for their scenic beauty. An informant consensus factor for species in all use categories was >90%, except for the scenic value, indicating a high homogeneity of knowledge about species uses. Bird species with multiple uses have significant cultural values among locals, emphasizing the need to understand these values in conservation efforts. Nuer traditional systems regulate the direct use of birds including for bushmeat. Hunting is permitted only by impoverished households during severe food shortages and is prohibited for those with a history of twins in their ancestry. The Nuer people exhibit a profound cultural connection to birds, viewing them as sacred and spiritually valuable beings. This deep-seated reverence and traditional knowledge highlight the importance of integrating Indigenous perspectives into bird conservation strategies to enhance their effectiveness and respect cultural values.

• Chala, Desalegn; Kusch, Erik; Weiland, Claus; Andrew, Carrie; Grieb, Jonas & Rossi, Tuomas [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2024). Prototype biodiversity digital twin: crop wild relatives genetic resources for food security. Research Ideas and Outcomes (RIO). 10. doi: 10.3897/rio.10.e125192. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Amidst population growth and climate-driven crop stresses such as drought, extreme weather, fungal and insect pests, as well as various crop diseases, ensuring food security demands innovative strategies. Crop wild relatives (CWR), wild plants in the same genus as the crop as well as wild populations belonging to the same species as the crop, offer novel genetic resources crucial for enhancing crop resilience against these stress factors. Here, we introduce a prototype digital twin (pDT) to aid in searching and utilising CWR genetic resources. Using the MoDGP (Modelling the Germplasm of Interest) tool, the pDT enables mapping geographic areas where stress-tolerant CWR populations can be found. With its graphical user interface, it offers flexibility in selecting genetic resources from CWR tailored to enhance resilience of various crops against diverse stress factors.

• Gelete, Desalegn Chala; Endresen, Dag; Demissew, Sebsebe; Slaughter, Laura Ann; Johnsen, Einar Broch & Stenseth, Nils Christian (2024). Address Social Injustices in Taxonomy: Implement Extended Revisions of Names with Ethical Issues and Persistent Identifiers for Tracing Name Changes. preprints.org > mathematics & computer science > information technology & data management. doi: 10.20944/preprints202407.1673.v1. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The binomial nomenclature system, introduced by Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century, has been fundamental for scientific communication and data management. Despite its utility, some scientific names reflect historical biases and ethical issues, including colonial legacies, racism, sexism, and derogatory terms. Recent debates highlight the need to address these injustices, with arguments both for and against revising such names. Critics argue that extensive revisions could disrupt scientific stability, while proponents emphasize the moral imperative to correct these issues. In this opinion paper, we advocate for the establishment of a dedicated committee within international nomenclature bodies to revise taxonomic names with clear ethical concerns and recommend the use of persistent identifiers to effectively manage and track name changes, mitigating potential disruptions to taxonomy and the science that depends on it. By adopting transparent revision processes and making use of digital technology, we can address ethical issues without remarkable upheaval. Science should not perpetuate historical injustices, and it is vital for the scientific community to proactively address social injustices in nomenclature to mitigate ongoing debates and resistance.

• Aticho, Abebayehu; Beyene, Abebe; Zelelew, Shimelis Aynalem; Puok, Changkuoth; Morrison, Kerryn & Gutema, Tariku Mekonnen [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). Uncovering extensive populations of the ‘threatened’ Black Crowned Cranes in Gambella, Ethiopia. Global Ecology and Conservation. 51. doi: 10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e02897. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  A reliable assessment of the population size of threatened species is crucial for making informed decisions about their conservation and management. However, there is a lack of comprehensive knowledge on the population of the eastern Black Crowned Crane (Balearica pavonina ceciliae), which is globally recognized as a threatened taxon experiencing a declining population trend. Here, we investigated the density, abundance and factors that influence flock size in the wetlands of the Gambella region in Ethiopia. We used line transects to collect data during dry and wet seasons. Population density and abundance were estimated using DISTANCE software, whereas factors influencing crane flock size were evaluated using a generalized linear model. We found that crane density ranged from 444 to 965 birds per sq km in the dry season and from 62 to 105 individuals per sq km in the wet season. We estimated that the population size within the designated survey areas as 7634 during the dry season and 866 during the wet season. Furthermore, for the broader survey region that encompasses permanent wetlands, the estimated population ranged from 9138 to 19,849 individuals in the dry season and from 1272 to 2166 individuals in the wet season. We found that grazing intensity and proximity to woodlands and rivers had significant positive impacts on crane flock size, whereas an increase in wetland water depth and grass height remarkably reduced flock size. As a result, wetland habitat degradation-related problems are not currently a threat to cranes in this region, but are likely to increase in the future due to large-scale agricultural expansion. The crane population size we estimated in Gambella is high, three to four times higher than the estimate from the entirety of Ethiopia. Our research underscores the global significance of Gambella wetlands as an important habitat for cranes. However, to obtain an accurate population estimate in this region, it is imperative to include seasonal wetlands, savannah grasslands, farmlands and the extended wetlands of South Sudan, which are hydrologically connected to the wetlands of Gambella region. To achieve this, comprehensive surveys and estimations should incorporate various techniques, such as aerial surveys, satellite telemetry, and high-resolution satellite imagery.

• Vogel, Susanne Marieke; Vasudev, Divya; Ogutu, Joseph O.; Taek, Purity; Berti, Emilio & Goswami, Varun R. [Show all 15 contributors for this article] (2023). Identifying sustainable coexistence potential by integrating willingness-to-coexist with habitat suitability assessments. Biological Conservation. ISSN 0006-3207. 279. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2023.109935. Full text in Research Archive
• Getachew, Mulualem; J., Collinson Wendy; Weldemariam, Tesfahunegny; Mengistu, Walle; Abeje, Kassie & Mebrahtom, Mesfin [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2023). Examining vertebrate road mortality on highways passing through protected areas of eastern Ethiopia. European Journal of Wildlife Research. ISSN 1612-4642. 69(6). doi: 10.1007/s10344-023-01750-7. Full text in Research Archive
• Seid, Ahmed Ahmed; Chala, Desalegn; Adugna, Kufa Chala; Anagaw, Atickem; Afework, Bekele & Jens-Christian, Svenning [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2023). Potential changes in the extent of suitable habitats for geladas (Theropithecus gelada) in the Anthropocene. BMC Ecology and Evolution. 23(1). doi: 10.1186/s12862-023-02173-3. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Climate change coupled with other anthropogenic pressures may affect the extent of suitable habitat for species and thus their distributions. This is particularly true for species occupying high-altitude habitats such as the gelada (Theropithecus gelada) of the Ethiopian highlands. To explore the impact of climate change on species distributions, Species Distribution Modelling (SDM) has been extensively used. Here we model the current and future extent of sutibale habitat for geladas. Our modelling was based on 285 presence locations of geladas, covering their complete current distribution. We used different techniques to generate pseudoabsence datasets, MaxEnt model complexities, and cut-off thresholds to map the potential distribution of gelada under current and future climates (2050 and 2070). We assembled maps from these techniques to produce a final composite map. We also evaluated the change in the topographic features of gelada over the past 200 years by comparing the topography in current and historical settings. Results All model runs had high performances, AUC = 0.87–0.96. Under the current climate, the suitable habitat predicted with high certainty was 90,891 km2, but it decreased remarkably under future climates, -36% by 2050 and − 52% by 2070. However, since the habitats of geladas already extend to mountaintop grasslands, no remarkable range shifts across elevation gradients were predicted under future climates. Conclusions Our findings indicated that climate change most likely results in a loss of suitable habitat for geladas, particularly south of the Rift Valley. Currently geladas are confined to higher altitudes and steep slopes compared to historical sightings, probably qualifying geladas as refugee species. The difference in topography is potentially associated with anthropogenic pressures that drove niche truncation to higher altitudes, undermining the climatic and topographic niche our models predicted. We recommend protecting the current habitats of geladas even when they are forecasted to become climatically unsuitable in the future, in particular for the population south of the Rift Valley.

• Aticho, Abebayehu; Beyene, Abebe; Zelelew, Shimelis Aynalem; Nigussie, Abebe; Gutema, Tariku Mekonnen & Bakkestuen, Vegar [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2023). Observed and projected changes in urbanization and nature conservation in a typical fast growing city of Ethiopia, Jimma. Biodiversity and Conservation. ISSN 0960-3115. 32, p. 4007–4028. doi: 10.1007/s10531-023-02680-1. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Urbanization poses a signifcant threat to biodiversity, particularly in developing nations characterized by high rural–urban migration and inadequate urban planning that fails to consider nature conservation. Insufcient information on how to efectively integrate urban expansion and nature conservation exacerbates environmental problems and hampers mitigation eforts. In this study, we assessed the expansion of Jimma City, a typical rapidly growing city in Ethiopia, over the past 35 years, projected changes for the next 50 years, and identifed priority areas for conservation. Landsat satellite images from 1985 and 2020 were utilized to map major land cover types and quantify temporal changes. We employed a Markov chain model to predict changes over the next 50 years and a GIS-based multi-criteria approach to identify conservation priority areas. Our fndings underscore the adverse efect of urban expansion on natural habitats. Over the past three decades, built-up areas expanded by sevenfold (721%; 2227 ha) while croplands expanded by 34% (4155 ha). Conversely, natural habitats experienced signifcant declines: forest cover declined by 39% (5209 ha), grassland by 20% (655 ha) and wetland by 28% (638 ha). Projecting the current trend over the next 50 years showed built-up areas to further increase by about fourfold (436%, 3565 ha). However, open water, wetland, natural forest, and cropland are predicted to decline by 81% (120 ha), 40% (660 ha), 42% (3455 ha), and 55% (8848 ha), respectively. Given the current rate of population growth and rural–urban migrations, urban expansion appears inevitable. Our study emphasizes the importance of designating at least 9040 ha (28%) of the land within the city and its surroundings as high-priority areas for biodiversity conservation. These areas encompass approximately 95% of the remaining forest remnants, 78% of the wetland area, and 22% of the grassland. It is imperative for urban administrations in developing nations to adopt sound policies, strategies, and planning approaches that support the integration of urban development and nature conservation, with special attention given to the preservation of key biodiversity areas. Such eforts are crucial for fostering inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities. Biodiversity conservation · Remote sensing · Urban expansion · Urban planning · Urban biodiversity · Urban ecosystem

• Tafesse, Bedilu; Bekele, Tamrat; Demissew, Sebsebe; Dullo, Bikila Warkineh; Nemomissa, Sileshi & Chala, Desalegn (2023). Conservation implications of mapping the potential distribution of an Ethiopian endemic versatile medicinal plant, Echinops kebericho Mesfin. Ecology and Evolution. 13(5). doi: 10.1002/ece3.10061. Full text in Research Archive
• Gutema, Tariku Mekonnen; Atickem, Anagaw; Tsegaye, Diress; Chala, Desalegn; Bekele, Afework & Sillero-Zubiri, Claudio [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2022). Home range, habitat use, and activity patterns of African wolves (Canis lupaster) in the Ethiopian highlands. Global Ecology and Conservation. 40. doi: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02324. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  African wolves (Canis lupaster) and Ethiopian wolves (C. simensis) occur often sympatrically across habitats in the Ethiopian Highlands, with recent studies finding evidence for interspecific competition. However, unlike the well-studied Ethiopian wolf, comparatively little is known about the ecology of the African wolf in the Ethiopian Highlands. To address this empirical gap, we collected data on home range size, habitat use, and activity patterns of radio-collared African wolves at the Guassa Menz Community Conservation Area (GCCA) and Borena Saynt Worehimenu National Park (BSNP). We followed the African wolves (5 in GCCA, 6 in BSNP) for 16 months and had 659 ± 83 encounters with each individual. The mean 95% kernel density estimate home range size of African wolves was higher in BSNP (4.5 ± 1.5 km2) than at GCCA (2.2 ± 0.7 km2). In 55% (n = 3934) of the encounters the wolves were found to be solitary, whereas in other encounters we found them in groups of two to seven. At both sites, the African wolves were more often found in areas close to human settlements than in more intact habitat, and they were mainly active at dawn and dusk. These results show flexibility in African wolf socioecology in response to habitat fragmentation and anthropogenic disturbance. We recommend further studies on major causes of spatial and temporal niche partitioning of Ethiopian wolves and African wolves in the Ethiopian Highlands.

• Tesfamicael, Solomon Abedom; Chala, Desalegn; Desta, Liyew A. & Ali, Sikunder (2022). Politics of meaning about quality of education in Ethiopia. African Journal of Teacher Education and Development (AJOTED). 1(1). doi: 10.4102/ajoted.v1i1.3. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: In recent years, the policymakers in Ethiopia are engaged in reforming the curriculum to address the poor quality of education in the country. The public as well as the different stakeholders have been engaged in debating on the topic. The discourse about the education policy has been intense at times. Aim: The purpose of this study is to provide a framework for the different meanings of quality of education in Ethiopia that arise from different experiences and factors among the participants. This, in turn, can guide and shape the intense discourse among the different stakeholders. Setting: The Ethiopian diaspora group arranged a two-part Twitter Space discussion among the Ethiopian diasporas who are engaged in the affairs of their home country to discuss the education policy of the country. The theoretical approach about politics of meaning by Ole Skovsmose was used to reflect on the discussion made by this community. Methods: Discourse analysis has been used on audio data from the Twitter Space conversation to trace different meanings of quality of education that different stakeholders attribute within the context of Ethiopia. Results: Seven different politics of meanings about quality of education has been identified: the good old days, decolonise, expectation, moral, foundation, opportunity and vision meaning. Conclusion: The authors believe that these seven meanings can provide insight to the policymakers in their endeavour to improve quality. In fact, these meanings are generic to any education system, and this can be investigated further. Contribution: Even though the authors’ analysis depended on the information obtained from the Ethiopian diaspora, the findings can be generalised to the wider Ethiopian public, the origin of the informants.

• Mairal, Mario; Namaganda, Mary; Gizaw, Abel; Chala, Desalegn; Brochmann, Christian & Catalan, Pilar (2021). Multiple mountain-hopping colonization of sky-islands on the two sides of Tropical Africa during the Pleistocene: The afroalpine Festuca grasses. Journal of Biogeography. ISSN 0305-0270. doi: 10.1111/jbi.14117. Full text in Research Archive
• Brochmann, Christian; Gizaw, Abel; Chala, Desalegn; Kandziora, Martha; Eilu, Gerald & Popp, Magnus [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2021). History and evolution of the afroalpine flora: in the footsteps of Olov Hedberg. Alpine Botany. ISSN 1664-2201. doi: 10.1007/s00035-021-00256-9. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The monumental work of Olov Hedberg provided deep insights into the spectacular and fragmented tropical alpine flora of the African sky islands. Here we review recent molecular and niche modelling studies and re-examine Hedberg’s hypotheses and conclusions. Colonisation started when mountain uplift established the harsh diurnal climate with nightly frosts, accelerated throughout the last 5 Myr (Plio-Pleistocene), and resulted in a flora rich in local endemics. Recruitment was dominated by long-distance dispersals (LDDs) from seasonally cold, remote areas, mainly in Eurasia. Colonisation was only rarely followed by substantial diversification. Instead, most of the larger genera and even species colonised the afroalpine habitat multiple times independently. Conspicuous parallel evolution occurred among mountains, e.g., of gigantism in Lobelia and Dendrosenecio and dwarf shrubs in Alchemilla. Although the alpine habitat was ~ 8 times larger and the treeline was ~ 1000 m lower than today during the Last Glacial Maximum, genetic data suggest that the flora was shaped by strong intermountain isolation interrupted by rare LDDs rather than ecological connectivity. The new evidence points to a much younger and more dynamic island scenario than envisioned by Hedberg: the afroalpine flora is unsaturated and fragile, it was repeatedly disrupted by the Pleistocene climate oscillations, and it harbours taxonomic and genetic diversity that is unique but severely depauperated by frequent bottlenecks and cycles of colonisation, extinction, and recolonisation. The level of intrapopulation genetic variation is alarmingly low, and many afroalpine species may be vulnerable to extinction because of climate warming and increasing human impact.

• Zinner, Dietmar; Klapproth, Matthias; Schell, Andrea; Ohrndorf, Lisa; Chala, Desalegn & Ganzhorn, Jörg U. [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2021). Comparative ecology of Guinea baboons (Papio papio). Primate Biology (PB). ISSN 2363-4707. doi: 10.5194/pb-8-19-2021. Full text in Research Archive
• Mairal, Mario; Chown, Steven L.; Shaw, Justine; Chala, Desalegn; Chau, John H. & Hui, Cang [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2021). Human activity strongly influences genetic dynamics of the most widespread invasive plant in the sub-Antarctic. Molecular Ecology. ISSN 0962-1083. doi: 10.1111/mec.16045. Full text in Research Archive
• Gizaw, Abel; Gorospe, Juan Manuel; Kandziora, Martha; Chala, Desalegn; Gustafsson, A Lovisa S & Zergabachew, Abush Zinaw [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2021). Afro-alpine flagships revisited II: elucidating the evolutionary relationships and species boundaries in the giant senecios (Dendrosenecio, Asteraceae). Alpine Botany. ISSN 1664-2201. doi: 10.1007/s00035-021-00268-5. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Alpine plant radiations are common across all major mountain systems of the world, and have been regarded as the main explanation for the species diversity found within these areas. To study the mechanisms behind the origin of this diversity, it is necessary to determine phylogenetic relationships and species boundaries in radiating alpine groups. The genus Dendrosenecio (Asteraceae) is an iconic example of a tropical-alpine plant radiation in the East African high mountains. To this date, limited sampling of molecular markers has resulted in insufficient phylogenetic resolution and infrageneric classification, hindering a comprehensive understanding of the drivers of diversification. Here, we used Hyb-Seq and the Compositae1061 probe set to generate targeted nuclear and off-target plastid DNA data for 42 samples representing all currently accepted 11 species. We combined coalescent methods and paralogy analysis to infer phylogenetic relationships, estimate divergence times and evaluate species boundaries. Lineage differentiation in Dendrosenecio seems to have occurred between the Late Miocene and the Pleistocene, starting when the first high elevation habitats became available in East Africa. We retrieved four major clades corresponding to four geographically distant mountain groups, testifying the importance of allopatric speciation in the early diversification of the group. Cytonuclear discordance suggested the occurrence of historical hybridization following occasional long-distance dispersal between mountain groups. The species delimitation analysis favored 10 species, but only five were fully supported, suggesting that population-level studies addressing processes such as ecological speciation and hybridization after secondary contact are needed to determine the current diversity found in the genus.

• Gebremedhin, Berihun; Chala, Desalegn; Flagstad, Øystein; Bekele, Afework; Bakkestuen, Vegar & Moorter, Bram Van [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2021). Quest for new space for restricted range mammals: the case of the endangered Walia ibex. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 9, p. 1–12. doi: 10.3389/fevo.2021.611632. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Populations of large mammals have declined at alarming rates, especially in areas with intensified land use where species can only persist in small habitat fragments. To support conservation planning, we developed habitat suitability models for the Walia ibex ( Capra walie ), an endangered wild goat endemic to the Simen Mountains, Ethiopia. We calibrated several models that differ in statistical properties to estimate the spatial extent of suitable habitats of the Walia ibex in the Simen Mountains, as well as in other parts of the Ethiopian highlands to assess potentially suitable areas outside the current distribution range of the species. We further addressed the potential consequences of future climate change using a climate model with four emission scenarios. Model projections estimated the potential suitable habitat under current climate to 501–672 km 2 in Simen and 6,251–7,732 km 2 in other Ethiopian mountains. Under projected climate change by 2,080, the suitable habitat became larger in Simen but smaller in other parts of Ethiopia. The projected expansion in Simen is contrary to the general expectation of shrinking suitable habitats for high-elevation species under climate warming and may partly be due to the ruggedness of these particular mountains. The Walia ibex has a wide altitudinal range and is able to exploit very steep slopes, allowing it to track the expected vegetation shift to higher altitudes. However, this potential positive impact may not last long under continued climate warming, as the species will not have much more new space left to colonize. Our study indicates that the current distribution range can be substantially increased by reintroducing and/or translocating the species to other areas with suitable habitat. Indeed, to increase the viability and prospects for survival of this flagship species, we strongly recommend human-assisted reintroduction to other Ethiopian mountains. Emulating the successful reintroduction of the Alpine ibex that has spread from a single mountain in Italy to its historical ranges of the Alps in Europe might contribute to saving the Walia ibex from extinction.

• Chala, Desalegn; Roos, Christian; Svenning, Jens-Christian & Zinner, Dietmar (2019). Species-specific effects of climate change on the distribution of suitable baboon habitats - Ecological niche modeling of current and Last Glacial Maximum conditions. Journal of Human Evolution. ISSN 0047-2484. 132, p. 215–226. doi: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2019.05.003. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

• Chala, Desalegn; Zimmermann, Niklaus E.; Brochmann, Christian & Bakkestuen, Vegar (2017). Migration corridors for alpine plants among the `sky islands? of eastern Africa: do they, or did they exist? Alpine Botany. ISSN 1664-2201. Published ahead of print, p. 1–12. doi: 10.1007/s00035-017-0184-z. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The tropical alpine ecosystem in eastern Africa is highly fragmented among biological ‘sky islands’, where populations of frost-tolerant organisms are isolated from each other by a ‘sea’ of tropical lowlands. One-third of the species in the afroalpine flora are exclusively alpine, but the other species can to varying degrees extend into grasslands and open forests of lower vegetation belts. A long-debated question is whether colonization of the alpine zone of these mountains and subsequent intermountain gene flow entirely depend on long-distance dispersal across unsuitable habitats, or whether suitable habitats shifted far enough downslope under past colder climates to form bridges enabling gradual migration. Here we address this question using a classification tree model. We mapped the extent of the current alpine habitat and projected it to the last glacial maximum (LGM) climate to assess whether gradual migration was possible for exclusively alpine taxa during this glacial period, and thus potentially also during earlier Pleistocene glaciations. Next, we modelled landcover under current and LGM climates to assess whether grassland and open forests could have served as migration corridors for alpine taxa that today extend into lower vegetation belts. We estimated that the LGM treeline was about 1000 m lower and the alpine habitat was about eight times larger than that today. At the LGM, we found that most of the currently fragmented alpine habitat of the Ethiopian highlands was interconnected except across the Great Rift Valley, whereas the solitary mountains of East/Central Africa remained isolated for exclusively alpine species. However, for drought-tolerant alpine species that today extend below the treeline, gradual migration through habitat corridors may have been possible among mountains during the dry glacial periods, and possibly also under the current climate before agriculture transformed the low-lying landscapes. Afroalpine · CART · Gene flow · Habitat connectivity · Last glacial maximum · Treeline

• Gelete, Desalegn Chala; Brochmann, Christian; Psomas, Achilleas; Ehrich, Dorothee; Gizaw, Abel & Masao, Catherine [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2016). Good-bye to tropical alpine plant giants under warmer climates? Loss of range and genetic diversity in Lobelia rhynchopetalum. Ecology and Evolution. 6(24), p. 8931–8941. doi: 10.1002/ece3.2603. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The main aim of this paper is to address consequences of climate warming on loss of habitat and genetic diversity in the enigmatic tropical alpine giant rosette plants using the Ethiopian endemic Lobelia rhynchopetalum as a model. We modeled the habitat suitability of L. rhynchopetalum and assessed how its range is affected under two climate models and four emission scenarios. We used three statistical algorithms calibrated to represent two different complexity levels of the response. We analyzed genetic diversity using amplified fragment length polymorphisms and assessed the impact of the projected range loss. Under all model and scenario combinations and consistent across algorithms and complexity levels, this afro-alpine flagship species faces massive range reduction. Only 3.4% of its habitat seems to remain suitable on average by 2,080, resulting in loss of 82% (CI 75%–87%) of its genetic diversity. The remaining suitable habitat is projected to be fragmented among and reduced to four mountain peaks, further deteriorating the probability of long-term sustainability of viable populations. Because of the similar morphological and physiological traits developed through convergent evolution by tropical alpine giant rosette plants in response to diurnal freeze-thaw cycles, they most likely respond to climate change in a similar way as our study species. We conclude that specialized high-alpine giant rosette plants, such as L. rhynchopetalum, are likely to face very high risk of extinction following climate warming

• Mewicha, Berihun Gebremedhin; Flagstad, Øystein; Bekele, Afework; Gelete, Desalegn Chala; Bakkestuen, Vegar & Boessenkool, Sanne [Show all 13 contributors for this article] (2016). DNA metabarcoding reveals diet overlap between the endangered walia ibex and domestic goats - Implications for conservation. PLOS ONE. 11(7), p. 1–18. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159133. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Human population expansion and associated degradation of the habitat of many wildlife species cause loss of biodiversity and species extinctions. The small Simen Mountains National Park in Ethiopia is one of the last strongholds for the preservation of a number of afro-alpine mammals, plants and birds, and it is home to the rare endemic Walia ibex, Capra walie. The narrow distribution range of this species as well as potential competition for resources with livestock, especially with domestic goat, Capra hircus, may compromise its future survival. Based on a curated afro-alpine taxonomic reference library constructed for plant taxon identification, we investigated the diet of the Walia ibex and addressed the dietary overlap with domestic goat using DNA metabarcoding of faecal samples. Faeces of both species were collected from different localities in the National Park. We show that both species are browsers, with forbs, shrubs and trees comprising the largest proportion of their diet, supplemented by grasses. There was a considerable overlap in dietary preferences. Several of the preferred diet items of the Walia ibex (Alchemilla sp., Hypericum revolutum, Erica arborea and Rumex sp.) were also among the most preferred diet items of the domestic goat. These results indicate that there is potential for competition between the two species, especially during the dry season, when resources are limited. Our findings, in combination with the expected increase in domestic herbivores, suggest that management plans should consider the potential threat posed by domestic goats to ensure future survival of the endangered Walia ibex.

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• Chala, Desalegn (2025). BioTorsdag: Digital Twins for Ecology, Conservation and Food Security - University of Oslo Library. doi: https:/biodt.eu/events/biodt-biotorsdag-digital-twins-ecology-conservation-and-food-security. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This BioTorsdag focuses on Digital twin technology, a technology which is emerging as an innovative tool in life science. Desalegn Chala, from Natural History Museum, will explain what a Digital twin is and how this technology has potential to revolutionizing knowledge production and decision-making processes.

• Chala, Desalegn (2025). The Crop Wild Relatives Use Case. doi: https:/biodt.eu/events/agroclimeumetsat-demonstration-workshop-and-stakeholder-meeting-rabat. Full text in Research Archive
• Weiland, Claus; Bauer, Daniel; Kusch, Erik; Chala, Desalegn & Endresen, Dag (2025). Crop Wild Relatives and Destination Earth : Benefits and Lessons Learned. doi: 10.5281/ZENODO.15322592. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The presentation of the interoperability between Crop Wild Relatives, a prototype Digital Twin of BioDT project, and Destination Earth project.

• Chala, Desalegn; Kusch, Erik; Rossi, Tuomas; Juottonen, Heli; Weiland, Claus & Grieb, Jonas [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2025). BioDT uc-CWR: Crop Wild Relative Digital Twin. doi: 10.5281/ZENODO.15696971. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  BioDT: Crop Wild Relative prototype Digital Twin (CWR pDT). The prototype digital twin (pDT) aids in searching and utilising CWR genetic resources. Using the MoDGP (Modelling the Germplasm of Interest) tool, the pDT enables mapping geographic areas where stress-tolerant CWR populations can be found. With its graphical user interface, it offers flexibility in selecting genetic resources from CWR tailored to enhance the resilience of various crops against diverse stress factors.

• Chala, Desalegn; Seid, Abel Gizaw; Thorn, Jessica P.R.; Cuni-Sanchez, Aida; Eilu, Gerald & Demissew, Sebsebe [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2024). The sky islands in eastern Africa: biodiversity, opportunities, and risks. In Schneiderbauer, Stefan; Pisa, Paola Fontanella; Jr., John F. Shroder, & Szarzynski, Joerg (Ed.), Safeguarding Mountain Social-Ecological Systems, Vol 2 Building Transformative Resilience in Mountain Regions Worldwide. Elsevier . ISSN 9780443328244. p. 97–107. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-443-32824-4.00034-1. Full text in Research Archive
• Chala, Desalegn; Kusch, Erik; Andrew, Carrie; Torma, Michal; Johaadien, Rukaya Sarah & Kehel, Zakaria [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2024). BioDT Hackathon: Second End-Users Workshop, January 2024. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Three-day hackathon titled Harnessing Digital Twinning for Sustainable Agriculture: Predictive Characterisation and Conservation of Crop Wild Relatives, takes place from January 23rd to 25th, 2024 in Oslo, Norway. The event, promises to unravel the immense potential of digital twinning in revolutionizing global agricultural practices.

• Castillo, Elvira; Galbany, Merce; Blanco-Galbalda, Carme; Brochmann, Christian; Gizaw, Abel & Chala, Desalegn [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). Niche modeling under future climate change scenarios of Helichrysum (Compositae) in the African sky islands. Full text in Research Archive
• Chala, Desalegn (2024). Distribution of Germplasms of Interest) tool. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  A webinar that aims to present how data modelling and crop wild relatives can transform sustainable agriculture. Join us for an enlightening webinar that aims to present how harnessing hidden genetic wealth from Crop Wild Relatives through Digital Twinning can transform sustainable agriculture. The ever-expanding global population, coupled with the challenges posed by climate change, shows the pressing need to address food security. To counteract global food insecurity, it is imperative to boost food production by developing crop varieties with increased yields, enhanced nutrition, and resilience against diseases and environmental changes. The untapped genetic resources present in Crop Wild Relatives play a crucial role in achieving these objectives. This webinar will showcase the innovative utilisation of MoDGP (Modelling the Distribution of Germplasms of Interest), a recently developed modeling approach, in conjunction with FIGS (Focused Identification of Germplasm Strategy), an existing tool. We will explore the application of these tools to unlock the transformative potential of digital twinning—a cutting-edge technology for model-based identification and utilisation of genetic resources. Digital twinning streamlines data integration, facilitates dynamic model updates, automates uncertainty analysis, and provides alerts for desirable genetic traits. This groundbreaking approach is poised to benefit plant breeders, conservationists, and policymakers alike. Crop Wild Relatives, a central focus of the BioDT project, will be highlighted as a prominent use case during the webinar. Don't miss this opportunity to dive into the future of sustainable agriculture and learn how digital twinning can unveil the untapped genetic potential within Crop Wild Relatives.

• Weiland, Claus; Grieb, Jonas; Bauer, Daniel; Gelete, Desalegn Chala; Kusch, Erik & Andrew, Carrie [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). Dataspace Integration for Agrobiodiversity Digital Twins with RO-Crate. Biodiversity Information Science and Standards (BISS). 8. doi: 10.3897/biss.8.134479. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  A severe impact of human-induced climate change is the global decrease in crop yields, threatening the United Nations sustainable development goal (SDG) to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture (SDG 2: “Zero Hunger Goal”). Decision-making on appropriate mitigation strategies requires data integration from heterogeneous data-rich contexts including Earth observation (EO), biodiversity monitoring, gene banks as well as socio-economic data. Accordingly, large-scale initiatives for thematic data spaces, such as the European projects Destination Earth (DestinE) and the Green Deal Data Space, have been launched. Underutilized crops and crop wild relatives (CWR) can contribute to mitigating the impacts of climate change since their greater genetic diversity allows adaptation of agro-food sources to extreme weather events such as flooding and drought or emerging crop pests. Within the framework of Biodiversity Digital Twin (BioDT), a prototype digital twin for crop genetic resources modeling is under development. This prototype combines the scanning of genetic resources of CWRs and traditional cultivars for promising pest resistance and abiotic tolerance traits with advanced species distribution modeling and actual climate scenarios from EO. The aim is to generate habitat suitability maps and identify potential areas where relevant populations are potentially growing (Chala et al. 2024). The talk gives an overview of data models used to facilitate the required interoperability of both Earth models and environmental data within and across different data spaces such as the DestinE Data Lake (Duatis Juarez et al. 2023). Based on our findings from the use case of agrobiodiversity digital twins, we will discuss approaches for processing machine-actionable digital objects (Fig. 1) containing workflow information (i.e., in the Common Workflow Language format, Crusoe et al. 2022), and for sharing resulting research data in a FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) manner by leveraging on so-called webby FAIR Digital Objects involving Research Object Crate (RO-Crate, Soiland-Reyes et al. 2022), FAIR Signposting (Soiland-Reyes et al. 2024) and schema.org and its Bioschemas extension respectively (Castro et al. 2020),

• Chala, Desalegn; Endresen, Dag; Demissew, Sebsebe; Slaughter, Laura Ann; Johnsen, Einar Broch & Stenseth, Nils Christian (2024). Stop using racist, unethical, and inappropriate names in taxonomy. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS). ISSN 0027-8424. 121(45). doi: 10.1073/pnas.2415490121. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  In this opinion piece, we address the growing debate surrounding the historical biases embedded in scientific names, which reflect colonialism, racism, sexism, and casteism. While many advocate for revising these names to align with modern ethical standards, concerns about disrupting binomial nomenclature stability persist. We argue that, in the digital era, effective solutions exist to manage name changes without significant disruption. Our paper proposes the creation of dedicated committees to handle names with clear ethical issues, the implementation of persistent identifiers to track changes, and the establishment of strict rules and guidelines against using scientific names with ethical issues and mechanisms to check for such problems before endorsing any new names. We emphasize that science must evolve to reflect contemporary values and not perpetuate historical injustices.

• Chala, Desalegn (2023). Crop wild relatives Digital Twin: where data flow meets computation to revolutionize agricultural research. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  While the human population is rapidly increasing and expected to reach 11 billion by the end of this century, global agricultural production is challenged due to climate change. To meet the UN Sustainable Development Goal targets and to bring about zero hunger, we need to boost our food production. For this, we need crops with higher yields, nutritional values, and the ability to resist diseases and adapt to changing environments. Untapped genetic resources to meet these goals are often harbored in crop wild relatives. Digital twinning represents a promising technology for the model-based identification and use of these resources by facilitating: 1) data flow and fusion from distributed data sources), 2) dynamic model updating, 3) automated model uncertainty analysis (validation against real-life data), and 4) provision of automated alerts for new genetic resources with predicted target genetic properties for plant breeders, conservation scientists and policymakers. Here, we showcase the importance of data flow to develop a digital twin that facilitates improving the nutritional quality of grasspea but can be transferable across traits and crops. Grasspea is a climate-smart crop that requires only residual moisture to complete its life cycle and is considered a lifesaver during severe droughts in tropical and subtropical regions. While it is protein-rich and could potentially help in beating protein malnutrition in the future, it also contains a neurotoxin that can cause paralysis of the lower limbs in adults and brain damage in children, if consumed over longer periods. Specific goals of our work include modelling geographic areas that present populations of grasspea wild relatives and land races with potential alleles to lower the toxicity content of grasspea to a non-harmful level.

• Chala, Desalegn (2023). Crop wild relatives Digital Twin: where data flow meets computation to revolutionize agricultural research. Full text in Research Archive
• Chala, Desalegn (2023). Utilizing digital twins for crop wild relatives: advancing food security and conservation efforts. Full text in Research Archive
• Birkeland, Siri; Gustafsson, A Lovisa S; Gizaw, Abel; Chala, Desalegn; Fraccasetti, Marco & Brazier, Thomas [Show all 13 contributors for this article] (2022). What drives the rapid buildup of sterility barriers in the Arctic crucifer Draba nivalis? Full text in Research Archive
• Giuffrida, Rita; Dmitry, Schigel; Endresen, Dag; Taubert, Franziska; Ovaskainen, Otso & Chala, Desalegn [Show all 15 contributors for this article] (2022). The BioDT use cases: unique demonstrators to test the biodiversity Digital Twin prototype. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The BioDT project aims to develop the biodiversity digital twin prototype to help better predict global biodiversity dynamics and how species interact with their environment and with each other. In order to test the work developed by the BioDT team in the three years of the project, groups of use cases will showcase how BioDT can examine its predictive performance and address biodiversity challenges through scenario simulations, predictions and biomonitoring methods. In order to speed up with the development of the BioDT use cases, the project team has met from 5 to 7 September 2022 in Potsdam, Germany, for an internal technical workshop. The aim of the event was to: * Consolidate the use cases leads and project teams; * Develop the scientific questions for each use case; * Start developing requirements for each use case; * Identify data types and sources to be used; * Prioritise UCs and exact scenarios to be addressed by initial development work; * Define the process of data flow from Research Infrastructures (RIs) to modellers; * Define data format and quality requirements between 1) RIs and 2) RIs and modellers. The workshop was organised by UFZ and welcomed 17 participants from BioDT partners. Following this workshop, and in order to present the use cases developments also to external partners, a free BioDT webinar was organised on 27 September 2022. The event showcased through presentations, interactive sessions with the audience and a Questions & Answers session the main achievements of the use cases and the next steps. During the 1-hour webinar, it was possible for attendees to learn more about the scope, challenges, solutions and benefits brought by the BioDT use cases and how their development can help scientists in predicting future trends in biodiversity. The webinar was organised by Trust-IT in cooperation with the use cases leaders.

• Chala, Desalegn (2022). RESTORATION INITIATIVES UNDER GLOBAL CHANGE IN THE AFRICAN CONTINENT: STATE OF THE ART, CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS. Full text in Research Archive
• Chala, Desalegn & Brochmann, Christian (2022). Tropical ‘alpine’ habitats: improper use of the term alpine? Full text in Research Archive
• Brochmann, Christian; Seid, Abel Gizaw; Gelete, Desalegn Chala; Martha, Kandziora; Eilu, Gerald & Popp, Magnus [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2022). History and evolution of the afroalpine flora: in the footsteps of Olov Hedberg. Full text in Research Archive
• Chala, Desalegn (2021). Historical habitat connectivity, niche dynamics and evolution in a highly fragmented natural system, the African alpine ‘sky islands’. Full text in Research Archive
• Gizaw, Abel; Gorospe, Juan Manuel; Kandziora, Martha; Chala, Desalegn; Gustafsson, A Lovisa S & Zinaw, Abush [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2021). Is lack of phylogenetic resolution the hallmark of alpine radiation? Insights from the afro-alpine giants in Dendrosenecio (Senecioneae, Asteraceae). Full text in Research Archive
• Mairal, Mario; Namaganda, Mary; Gizaw, Abel; Chala, Desalegn; Brochmann, Christian & Catalan, Pilar (2020). Multiple mountain-hopping colonization of sky-islands on the two sides of Tropical Africa during the Pleistocene: the afroalpine Festuca grasses. Full text in Research Archive
• Chala, Desalegn (2020). Historical climate change impacts on the African 'Sky Island' ecosystems and the enigmatic plants comprised in them. Full text in Research Archive
• Flood, Pádraic J; Goktay, Mehmet; Tergemina, Emmanuel; Gywenne-Evans, David; Gustafsson, A Lovisa S & Telia, Habte [Show all 17 contributors for this article] (2019). The genetic basis of convergent adaptation to altitude in Arabidopsis thaliana. Full text in Research Archive
• Chala, Desalegn & Brochmann, Christian (2019). Tropical ‘alpine’ habitats: improper use of the term alpine? Full text in Research Archive
• Gizaw, Abel; Brochmann, Christian; Chala, Desalegn; Popp, Magnus; Zimmermann, Niklaus E. & Ehrich, Dorothee [Show all 12 contributors for this article] (2017). Connectivity in the extremely fragmented African ‘Sky Island’ flora: historical migration corridors or long-distance dispersal? Full text in Research Archive
• Aarrestad, Per Arild; Bakkestuen, Vegar; Töpper, Joachim Paul; Chala, Desalegn; Often, Anders & Olsen, Siri Lie [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2017). Vegetasjonsundersøkelser av boreal bjørkeskog i Lund og Åmotsdalen. In Framstad, Erik (Eds.), Terrestrisk naturovervåking i 2016: Markvegetasjon, epifytter, smågnagere og fugl. Sammenfatning av resultater. Norsk institutt for naturforskning (NINA). ISSN 9788242631015. p. 22–35. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Overvåkingen i TOV omfatter viktige biologiske komponenter i vanlige boreale og lavalpine øko-systemer. Det er forventet at overvåkingsvariablene vil respondere på ulike naturlige og men-neskeskapte endringer. Her gis en kvalitativ vurdering av hovedmønstre i mulige påvirkninger. Klimaendringer Langtransporterte forurensinger Andre påvirkningsfaktorer: endringer i bruken av utmarksarealene. Naturlige variasjoner i nordlige øko-systemer som er utsatt for betydelige fysiske og biologiske endringer fra år til år. Terrestrisk miljø – overvåking – klimavariasjon – forurensinger – naturlig dynamikk – markvegetasjon – epifytter – smågnagere – fugl – reproduksjon – bestandsvariasjoner – artssammensetning – Norge - Terrestrial environment – monitoring – climate variation – pollution – natural dynamics –ground vegetation – epiphytes – small mam-mals – birds – reproduction – population variation – species com-position – Norway

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